tion in one to whom we have done an act
of kindness. By the very expression of the countenance we can
influence others, make their life more pleasant or more painful. There
are those who by the sweetness of their demeanor are in a household
like fragrant flowers. They are like the sweet ointment of spikenard
which the woman poured upon Christ--the sweet perfume of it "filled the
whole house."

(_c_) Think of the influence of _sympathy_. There are some natures
that are gifted with a blessed power to bring consolation to men. It
is not that they are glib of tongue or facile of speech, but somehow
the very pressure of their hand is grateful to the saddened heart. The
simple and kindly action, of which we think nothing, may tell
powerfully on others, and unclose fountains of feeling deep down in the
heart.

(_d_) Think of the influence of _example_: the simple doing of what is
right, though we say nothing about it; the upright life of a father or
mother in a household; the steady conduct of a soldier in his company;
the stainless character of a workman among his comrades, or a boy in
his school. It is bound to tell. "Example," says Dr. Smiles, "is one
of the most potent instructors, though it teaches without a tongue. It
is the practical school of mankind working by action, which is always
more forcible than words. Precept may point to us the way, but it is a
silent continuous example conveyed to us by habits, and living with us
in fact, that carries us along. Good advice has its weight, but
without the accompaniment of a good example it is of comparatively
small influence, and it will be found that the common saying of 'Do as
I say, not as I do' is usually reversed in the actual experience of
life." Goodness makes good. As a man who trims his garden in a
straight row and makes it beautiful will induce in time all his
neighbors to follow him, or at least to be ashamed of their ragged and
ill-kept plots in contrast with his own, so is it that the upright,
good life of a sincere Christian man will silently tell upon others.

These are some illustrations of the power of influence unconsciously
exercised, and the whole subject teaches us (1) Our responsibility. If
we are ready to ask, "Am I my brother's keeper?" the answer is, you
cannot help being so. It is as easy to evade the law of gravitation as
the law of responsibility. A man was lately prosecuted for having
waited on his customers in clothes he had wo